Caps 4, Canadiens 2

Quite a busy evening on F Street. To recap, in order:

*Alex Ovechkin was named the franchise's 14th captain before tonight's 4-2 win over the Canadiens.

*Ovechkin didn't record a point in the slump-busting win (in fact, he was held without a point in consecutive games for the first time almost exactly a year, a span of 72 games). But thanks to a team effort at Verizon Center, he didn't have to. Alexander Semin scored two goals, Tomas Fleischmann (15 points in 15 games) chipped in with a goal and two assists and Michal Neuvirth made 12 of his 26 saves in a tight third period.

*I got word after the game that David Steckel has signed a contract extension. As I mentioned earlier, I'll have to get the details tomorrow. Steckel would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

*John Carlson, the Caps' top prospect not currently in Washington, scored his second goal of the night, in overtime, to lift the United States to a 6-5 victory over Canada in the world junior championships. Enjoy:

We covered quite a bit in my gamer and my story on Ovechkin, and since the blog software is still proving to be problematic, this will have to do for the postgame entry for tonight.

1) Congratulations on becoming Captain, Ovi. You are the logical choice. You were wise to turn it down when you were still a green kid of 21 years old. But now is the time. The NHL has enough young kids as Captains. Ovi's just as qualified as Richards (Philly), Toews (Chicago), and Crosby (Pitt).

2) The Caps had a lot of shots on goals in the first period but no goals. I must confess that I was scared that this would be the type of game where one defense or goal tending mistake would be costly and no margin of error.

3) Period 2 -- That was more like it. Caps score (Flash). But Montreal ties it up. Then two quick tallies by the Caps. (Yes, my boys were bringing it on. And the Caps started bearing down after getting tied up.)

4) Yes, Period 3 was a white knuckles period. Montreal scored on a PP but we got a 4th goal

5) Carey Price did very well at goal for Montreal and kept then in the game. While Neuverth wasn't perfect, he's good enough to win on days where we have an adequate offense.

6) The only thing better would have been a goal by Ovi, as well, but my other boys (Flash, Fehr, Semin) all scored.

7) I've been lobbying to put Fehr as 2nd line right wing. But reuniting him with Morrison (even if on the third line) is the next best thing (and what was needed to get him started again.)

The thing I notice about the GWG in the World Jrs is that Carlson looks pass the entire time, even when taking the shot, the goalie was playing pass the whole way and that is a great skill to have from a young D man.

The thing I notice about the GWG in the World Jrs is that Carlson looks pass the entire time, even when taking the shot, the goalie was playing pass the whole way and that is a great skill to have from a young D man.

What's the deal with CSN and CSN+? Why are the Caps treated like the red-headed stepchild? How many people are watching the wizards in HD? How many people are even watching the wizards?

Posted by: RockRed | January 6, 2010 1:59 AM | Report abuse

Dude people love the prospect of something crazy happening. During a hockey game you might see a fist fight, but at a Wizards game you might see gun fight.

Anyway congrats to Carlson and Team USA. The only thing though that concerns me about that result is the fact that Team USA gave up 5 goals with Carlson on the roster. I guess the goalies at that level develop slower then the skaters.